Rock Picks: Record release parties for Ryan Gustafson, Brett Harris

So many great records are coming out of North Carolina right now, it’s almost hard to keep track of them all. Friday night will see release shows for two of them, both at the Cat’s Cradle complex in Carrboro.

In the Cradle main room, it’s Asheville-based Ryan “Dead Tongues” Gustafson unveiling his very quirky and fine new album “Montana” – which is something like psychedelic old-time. Sharing the bill are NC Volunteers, who are essentially MC “Hiss Golden Messenger” Taylor and friends, so there should be some great all-hands-on-deck moments as the night wears on.

At the Cradle Back Room next door, meanwhile, Durham’s Brett Harris will play the same night to launch his new album “Up in the Air” (Hit the Deck Recordings). Harris is a dB’s sideman and contributor to various Chris Stamey projects, and he shows an impeccable level of pop craftsmanship on the new album. Start times are 8 p.m. for Harris and 9 p.m. for Dead Tongues, and cover is $10 and $12 respectively – or $17 for both, which would allow you to bounce back and forth between them. See catscradle.com for details.

The Ritz also has Australia’s Wolfmother on Saturday, plus progressive band Coheed and Cambria on Monday. Back to Saturday, New Orleans’ Hurray for the Riff Raff plays a Duke Performances show at Baldwin Auditorium in Durham.

Honky-tonk master Wayne “The Train” Hancock plays Raleigh’s Pour House on Sunday, with John Howie Jr. and Rosewood Bluff opening. Members of Tres Chicas, Des Ark, Mandolin Orange and many more play an Alice Gerrard tribute show Sunday at Saxapahaw’s Haw River Ballroom.